Nelson Mandela 1918-2013

Friday, 06 December 2013

Nelson Mandela: Mario Tama - Getty images

Jon Foster-Pedley, Dean and Director, Henley Business School Africa, based in Johannesburg, pays tribute to Nelson Mandela - ahead of his official memorial service and funeral this week:

We have all been moved to celebrate the life of a great human being, a great South African and a great citizen of the world - one of the greatest leaders of our time, a man who inspired so many of us.

Many people have said that South Africa would fall apart when he departed. The truth is, of course, the opposite. His legacy is far, far stronger than that. As a true African hero he has touched the hero in us all and his ideals, humanity, wit and drive will carry on and inspire us to work together as equals in building a better society and a better Africa.

One of Nelson Mandela's passions was education. He said: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

At Henley, we will honour his life and legacy by using that weapon to its fullest and most fruitful extent, and aspire in some way to measure up to his extraordinary and inspiring life.

Thank you Nelson Mandela.

Watch a video of Jon Foster-Pedley talking about the legacy of Nelson Mandela >>>